Judith Batchelar OBE, Sainsburys

A director of one of the UK’s retail giants, Judith Batchelar OBE has a wealth of experience in the agrifood business. She tells Olivia Midgley about the importance of acting on feedback, even if it’s negative, and why working part time after raising a family doesn’t have to hinder your career. THEY say past experiences shape the people we are today and Judith Batchelar credits some of her previous bosses and colleagues for the leadership style she now possesses. It was her time working for food and confectionary heavyweight Mars that she describes as a ‘pivotal’ moment in her career. “I got a job as a national account manager at Mars, which is where everyone wanted to work in the ‘80s,” says Judith. “It is where I met my future husband and my future bosses – people like Justin King (former Sainsburys chief executive), Allan Leighton (former Asda chief executive), David Cheesewright (former Walmart chief executive) Richard Baker (former Asda chief operating officer and Boots CEO).